MDA Shrugs and Lowers Goal to 39 BMD Ships | New Russian Hardware Seen Over Syria | Canadians Cut Steel on New Arctic Patrol Ships

Americas

• The Missile Defense Agency is lessening its ambitions for the number of ships that will be equipped with ballistic missile defense to 39 from 48. Between the Navy buying fewer, more expensive ships and opting not to staff ships in drydock with BMD-qualified crews, the number 39 seemed more realistic, if further away from the commanders’ request of 70.

• The Navy’s fourth MUOS satellite appears to have happily landed in its initial orbit after riding on an Atlas V.

• Irving Shipbuilding in Nova Scotia started in on the MNCS Harry DeWolf, the ship that will give its name to the new class [Canadian French] of offshore patrol ships geared to the Arctic environment. The ship is scheduled to sail in 2018 and to eventually be joined by 20 others.

• Raytheon will get $33 million to make more AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar devices. With options, the contract could be worth as much as $98 million.

Asia

• China sent warships for the first time to the Bering Sea just as President Obama is visiting Alaska. The Pentagon properly pointed out that it’s a free seaway, although the symbolism of the precedent’s timing wasn’t lost on many.

Europe

• BAE has just delivered to the Norwegian Army the first batch of 12 vehicles of 144 under a 2012 contract. The contract calls for 144 vehicles in total; 41 new CV90s and the modernized CR90s of the Norwegian Army fleet.

Middle East

• Pictures reportedly shot over Syria show at least four Russian aviation assets not previously seen in the conflict. If the pictures turn out to be real, it would suggest Russian direct involvement (which they denying at the moment) or an arms transfer to Syria, which would be less likely. If a deal has been made between Syria and Russia, it would appear to involve Flankers, Fulcrums, Fullbacks and Pchela-1T drones.

• ISIL got its hands on some US Rifles.

Today’s Video

• The launch leading to the Navy’s happy report that its fourth MOUS satellite is sending signals back.

BMD in Bunches: The USN’s Multi-Year Destroyer Contract, FY 2013 – 2017

DDG 110 & MH-60S

Technically, the Ticonderoga Class cruisers sit at the pinnacle of the US Navy’s surface combatant fleet. They’re no longer being built, however, and the growing preponderance of Arleigh Burke Class destroyers in missile defense roles is beginning to push them to the fore. A proposed Flight III design with a much-improved radar set will complete that transformation.

The USA’s FY 2013 budget documents include a proposed $16.189 billion Multi-Year Procurement deal for 9 destroyers from FY 2013 – 2017: DDGs 117 – 125, with the award split between General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Huntington Ingalls Industries. The buy intends to include both existing Flight IIA ship designs, and new Flight IIIs.

Norway’s CV90 Armored Modernization

Norway’s CV90-30
IFV, Afghanistan

In June 2012, Norway began a NOK 10 billion/ $1.68 billion program to upgrade and build CV90 tracked armored vehicles, and field unmanned air and ground vehicles, as part of the Army’s largest military modernization program since the Cold War. When the initial contract is done, Norway’s 103-vehicle CV90-30 fleet, which has served since the mid-1990s will become 144 vehicles serving with the Telemark and Armoured battalions: 74 modernized Infantry Fighting Vehicles, plus 21 reconnaissance, 16 multi-role (mortar carrier or cargo), 15 command & control, 16 engineering vehicles, and 2 driver training models. Delivery is expected between 2015 and 2017.

The upgraded vehicles will incorporate lessons learned from Norwegian operations in Afghanistan, and new internal and external technologies from Norway’s Kongsberg.